Variations of Contaminants in the Road Side Agricultural Soil of Thana Malakand Agency

Agricultural soil samples were collected from the G. T. road side of Thana Malakand Agency, at various distances and were studied for different parameters. pH of soil samples was found in the range of 6.9 to 7.3 which is neutral in nature. Iron was found in the range of 5.8 to 40.45 mg/ L. At low level, iron causes chlorophyll deficiency. Nickel was in the range of (4.2 to 22.5 mg/ L) and is needed for the metabolism of plant nitrogen. Copper was found in the range of 6.55 to 25.41 mg/ L. Functions of copper include chlorophyll synthesis and protein metabolism.  Zinc was in the range of 8.41 to 50.23 mg/ L. Cadmium was found in the range 5.12 to 42.12 mg/ L, which is higher than the desirable level for fertile soil therefore it may cause diseases like wilting and red orange coloration of leaves. Lead was found 5.23 to 56.12 mg/ L. Manganese was found from 6.55 to 60.12 mg/ L. Manganese is essential for nitrogen and inorganic acid metabolism. The concentration of chromium was found in the range of 3.2 to 23.4 mg/ L. Concentration between 5-30 mg/ Kg is considered of critical importance for plants and deviation could cause yield reduction. The highest concentrations of metals were found in the sample S-1, which is near the main bazaar, decreasing gradually from S-1 to S-12. This may be due to the fact that different sources near the main bazaar contaminate the agricultural soil thus raising its concentration

ZIA UD DIN ,ILYAS KHAN AHMAD ,FAZLULLAH KHAN BANGASH ,SULTAN ALAM ,